Speedy fun at Canyons by UTMB 100k where Adam Peterman and Jazmine Lowther each took first place and set new course records. Plus, a huge U.S. showing at the Madeira Island Ultra-Trail where Courtney Dauwalter and Jim Walmsley swept the day. 

Get the full racing scoop with iRunFar’s exhaustive coverage of both Canyons and Madeira. 

Want more racing? Check out these upcoming events still open for registration: 

• Ultra Race of Champions, April 30 (VA)
• Backside Trail Marathon, May 1 (KY)
• Dirty German Endurance Fest, May 7 (PA)
• Farm Park Challenge, May 7 (MD)
• Annapurna Circuit Fastback, (Nepal)

With $375 shoes and 30+ gel flavors to decipher, it’s easy to wonder–when exactly did trail running get so fancy? In her lighthearted, but spot-on way, Emily Halnon makes the case that it doesn’t need to be. At its core, she reminds us, trail running is simply about playing in the dirt. 

Read on for down-to-earth ideas on how to procure a runner’s “charcuterie” platter from a gas station or why the boy’s section at your local Goodwill may have the perfect tee for your next big win. 

? Mental Game: A how-to guide for not DNFing, this article offers 5 science-backed mental tricks for getting unstuck in tough moments. Tip 1: Try self-talk in the third person–it works for Olympian Shalane Flanagan. 

? Magic Long Run: How long should your longest run be? Coach Jason Koop dives into this most common ultrarunner question and tries to shift some silly notions using a mix of science and common sense, plus helpful formulas for determining your magic number.

? Chow Time: Looking for creative ideas that may be yummier and cheaper than pre-packaged bars? Here are 8 snack-hacks including a PB concoction squeezed out of a homemade tube. Still hungry? Here are 10 more meal-sized faves, all packable on a long run.

Welcome back to the aid station! We’ll patch you up and fill your bottles, but this isn’t a 200-mile race so you can’t hang out too long.  – Corrine

♨️ Looking for an excuse to buy a hot tub? 

If you’re like me–worried your face will melt off at an upcoming hot race–you’re starting to work out a plan to acclimate to the impending heat. You know you have options: dry sauna (maybe you don’t have access), infrared sauna (there’s no research), layering up (puke face emoji). Good news for you, a recent research paper, translated via this YLMSportScience infographic, suggests that a highly effective way to beat the heat is a post exercise hot bath. Main points: 

• A hot bath of up to 40minutes in 40C/104F water following exercise produces larger thermal adaptations than running in hot weather (above 33F/94F).
• Using this strategy is cheap, convenient, effective, and it allows you to maintain high training quality.

♨️ Final Word: If you were looking for a sign to buy a hot tub, this is it. Just preheat that baby to 104F.

Read More Online ➡️ Corrine tackles heart rate variability and why athletes may be exposed to 3-5x more air pollution. 

? Like It Was Yesterday: Relive the ‘94 Leadville 100 excitement when Ann Trason endeavored to beat the visiting Tarahumara, taking second overall and setting the female course record,18:06, which still stands today.

? Get Going: Procrastinating your daily run? Ahh, what “fun” that mental torture is. This 3-min quick-fix of inspirational trail running will have you ready to lace up and sprint out the door.

? Do You Even Yoga? That creaky moment when you have realize you haven’t stretched in months. No one wants to end up like the Tinman, so here’s a 7-min post-run flow from Yoga with Adriene.